Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @gavaskarsunilofficial
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has responded to Michael Vaughan‘s recent remarks about Indian cricket. Vaughan suggested that Joe Root could surpass Sachin Tendulkar as the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket and implied that the BCCI might try to prevent this.
Vaughan stated, “If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that ever happens to cricket, because there’s no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They’ll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it’ll take forever for someone to get past him.”
In reply, Gavaskar criticized these comments, defending Indian cricket and dismissing the notion that the BCCI would interfere in such a way.
In his Sportstar column, Sunil Gavaskar strongly criticized Michael Vaughan’s comments, labeling them as part of a recurring trend of “India bashing.” Gavaskar took issue with Vaughan’s suggestion that the BCCI would try to protect Tendulkar’s record, responding firmly to the claim.
“This business of India bashing has to be countered with aggression because that’s the only language they understand,” Gavaskar wrote.
Gavaskar indirectly challenged Vaughan’s views on why Test cricket would benefit if Joe Root surpassed Tendulkar’s record. He contended that Tendulkar’s record is already monumental and that such statements diminish its significance.
“Recently, I heard someone saying it would be good for Test cricket if Joe Root overtook Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs and centuries in Test match cricket. Please tell us what’s wrong with Test cricket presently when Tendulkar is owning the record and how will Test cricket be better if (and that’s a huge if) an Englishman goes on to hold it. In what way will it be better? Kindly enlighten us.”
“For some strange reason, there’s a perception overseas that BCCI does not like Test cricket. That’s a ridiculous notion, as India plays more than half a dozen Test matches every season, be it at home or away. Just because the IPL is massively successful doesn’t mean BCCI is not interested in promoting Test cricket, but that’s the narrative that’s being peddled by the overseas media,” he added.
Gavaskar also expressed concerns about the future locations of World Test Championship finals. He noted that previous venue announcements for the WTC final had been altered when England was not involved.
With England performing well, Gavaskar questioned whether the final would indeed be held at Lord’s as announced or if the venue might change again.
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